On the night of June 25, 2025, a horrific alleged gang-rape at South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata’s Kasba neighborhood sent shockwaves across West Bengal, igniting public outrage and political firestorms.
A female law student was reportedly assaulted by three individuals—two former students and a college staff member—in a secluded room on campus.
The swift arrest of the accused within 24 hours has done little to quell demands for justice, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of fostering a culture of impunity and calling for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance, and the TMC has promised swift justice, but the incident has reignited debates about women’s safety and institutional accountability.
This article delves into the incident, its fallout, and its broader implications for West Bengal and India, ensuring its relevance for ongoing conversations about safety and governance.
- Alleged Gang-Rape Incident: A female law student was allegedly gang-raped on June 25, 2025, at South Calcutta Law College by three individuals.
- Swift Arrests: Police arrested Manojit Mishra, Zaib Ahmed, and Pramit Mukhopadhyay within 24 hours, with two apprehended on June 26 and the third on June 27.
- BJP’s Political Offensive: The BJP linked one accused to TMC’s student wing, demanding Mamata Banerjee’s resignation for failing to ensure safety.
- TMC’s Response: The TMC condemned the assault, promised justice, and criticized the central government for not supporting anti-rape legislation.
- Broader Implications: The incident highlights ongoing concerns about women’s safety, institutional security, and political accountability in West Bengal.
The Incident: A Night of Horror
On June 25, 2025, between 7:30 PM and 10:50 PM, a female law student at South Calcutta Law College was allegedly lured to a room near the student union area and gang-raped by three individuals:
Manojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20). According to the FIR, Mishra committed the penetrative assault, while Ahmed and Mukhopadhyay aided the crime. The accused, two former students and one staff member, were arrested swiftly— Mishra and Ahmed near Talbagan Crossing on June 26, and Mukhopadhyay from his home early on June 27.
Their mobile phones were seized, and a forensic examination of the crime scene was conducted to gather evidence. The victim’s identity remains protected under Supreme Court directives on sexual assault cases.
The assault, occurring within the supposedly safe confines of a prestigious institution, has sparked widespread outrage. Students, parents, and activists have taken to social media, with X posts like those from @CNNnews18 highlighting the incident’s brutality and demanding systemic reforms.
The NCW’s intervention underscores the case’s gravity, urging a thorough probe.
Political Firestorm: BJP vs. TMC
The BJP seized the opportunity to criticize the TMC-led government, alleging that Manojit Mishra was linked to the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the TMC’s student wing.
BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of fostering a “culture of impunity” that enables such crimes.
They demanded her resignation, arguing that her dual role as Home and Health Minister reflects a failure to ensure safety. Adhikari’s statements on X echoed this, calling for a CBI probe to ensure impartiality, citing past allegations of evidence tampering in similar cases.
The TMC condemned the assault, with leaders expressing solidarity with the victim and promising “every possible support” to ensure justice.
They criticized the central BJP government for not supporting the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill, which seeks faster investigations and stricter punishments.
A TMC statement on X emphasized, “Justice will be served,” but deflected blame by accusing opposition parties of politicizing the tragedy. The political slugfest has intensified public scrutiny, with debates about governance and safety dominating headlines.
Context: A Pattern of Concern
This incident follows a disturbing trend of violence against women in West Bengal, notably the 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College.
That case, which led to a 42-day junior doctors’ strike and nationwide protests, saw similar demands for Mamata’s resignation and accusations of evidence mishandling.
The Calcutta High Court’s transfer of the R.G. Kar case to the CBI in August 2024, citing distrust in Kolkata Police, has fueled BJP’s narrative of administrative failure.
The South Calcutta Law College case has reignited these concerns. X posts from users like @htTweets question why educational institutions remain unsafe, while others criticize the TMC’s handling of law and order.
The NCW’s involvement and the arrests signal action, but public trust remains fragile, with many demanding structural reforms over political rhetoric.
Investigation and Legal Actions
The Kolkata Police acted swiftly, arresting the accused within 24 hours and remanding them to custody until July 1, 2025, for further investigation.
Forensic teams are analyzing the crime scene, and the accused’s mobile phones are under examination to uncover any additional evidence or motives. The NCW has called for a fair and expedited probe, emphasizing victim support and accountability.
However, the BJP’s allegation of a TMC-linked accused has raised questions about potential political interference. Past cases, like the R.G. Kar incident, saw accusations of evidence destruction, with BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia alleging Mamata’s administration shielded culprits.
The TMC’s counter-claim that the BJP is exploiting the tragedy for political gain has further polarized the discourse, making an impartial investigation critical.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | June 25, 2025, 7:30 PM–10:50 PM |
| Location | South Calcutta Law College, Kasba, Kolkata |
| Accused | Manojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20) |
| Arrest Dates | June 26 (Mishra, Ahmed), June 27 (Mukhopadhyay) |
| Police Custody | Until July 1, 2025 |
| NCW Action | Took cognizance, urged expedited probe |
| Political Demands | BJP demands Mamata Banerjee’s resignation; TMC promises justice |
Broader Implications
Women’s Safety
The assault underscores India’s ongoing struggle with women’s safety, particularly in educational institutions. The 2024 R.G. Kar case, where a doctor was raped and murdered, led to nationwide protests and campaigns like “Reclaim the Night.”
This incident, occurring in a law college, raises questions about campus security and the effectiveness of existing safety measures. X users have called for mandatory CCTV installation and stricter access controls, reflecting a broader demand for systemic change.
Political Accountability
The BJP’s demand for Mamata’s resignation mirrors similar calls in past incidents, like the 2024 R.G. Kar case and Murshidabad clashes. Critics argue that such demands are politically motivated, but they highlight West Bengal’s law-and-order challenges.
The TMC’s defense, focusing on swift arrests and victim support, contrasts with accusations of shielding culprits, creating a trust deficit.
Institutional Reforms
Educational institutions must prioritize safety to restore confidence. The involvement of a staff member in the assault raises concerns about internal accountability, echoing issues in the R.G. Kar case, where the college principal faced corruption allegations.
Proposals for student safety committees and regular audits are gaining traction, with X posts advocating for student-led safety initiatives.
Why This Story Stays Relevant
This incident remains a trending topic due to its far-reaching implications:
- Women’s Safety Crisis: With 28% of Indians citing safety as a top concern (2024 Ipsos survey), such cases fuel ongoing debates.
- Political Polarization: The BJP-TMC clash keeps the issue in headlines, as seen in X posts from @ANI and @ZeeNews.
- Institutional Trust: Repeated incidents in educational settings demand reforms, a topic resonating with students and parents.
- Policy Advocacy: The TMC’s push for the Aparajita Bill and BJP’s CBI probe demands ensure legislative focus.
- Social Media Amplification: X discussions, like @CNNnews18’s coverage, sustain public engagement, making it a viral issue.
Challenges and Criticisms
The TMC faces criticism for alleged links to the accused, with the BJP claiming a pattern of protecting culprits, as seen in the R.G. Kar case.
The TMC’s counter-narrative risks being overshadowed by past controversies, like the reappointment of the R.G. Kar principal post-resignation.
Public skepticism about police impartiality, fueled by the 2024 case’s CBI transfer, underscores the need for transparent investigations.
Additionally, the minority college reservation changes in Maharashtra’s FYJC admissions (unrelated but concurrent) highlight broader governance debates, adding context to public distrust.
The alleged gang-rape at South Calcutta Law College has shaken West Bengal, exposing vulnerabilities in campus safety and governance.
The swift arrests of Manojit Mishra, Zaib Ahmed, and Pramit Mukhopadhyay offer hope, but the BJP’s demand for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation and the TMC’s defense have turned the tragedy into a political battleground.
As the NCW pushes for justice and X users amplify calls for reform, this incident underscores the urgent need for safer institutions and accountable governance.
By addressing these systemic issues, India can ensure such horrors don’t recur, keeping this story relevant in the fight for justice and safety.
